Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A computer-implemented automatic tracing algorithm for a quantitative analysis of continuous structures, applied for analyzing a 3D image of the continuous structures, and each the continuous structure having at least one characteristic element, and the algorithm comprising the steps of: S 1 : capturing the 3D image of the continuous structure and digitizing the 3D image such that the 3D image is comprised of a plurality of voxels; S 2 : selecting a starting point voxel and assigning a starting point code N 1 to the starting point voxel, wherein the starting point voxel is selected from any voxel of the 3D image; S 3 : setting an intensity threshold of the 3D image, and starting with the starting point voxel to encode all the voxels of the 3D image that match with the intensity threshold, and the step S 3 further comprising the steps of: S 31 : assigning a voxel code to all the voxels adjacent to the starting point voxel N 1 and matched with the intensity threshold, and the voxel code being incremented from the starting point code N 1 by an integer to N 2 ; S 32 : using the voxel with a voxel code of N 2 as an adjacent starting point, and assigning a voxel code of N 3 to each the voxel adjacent to the voxel with the voxel code of N 2 and matched with the intensity threshold; and S 33 : repeating S 32 until all the voxels of the 3D image matched with the intensity threshold are encoded; and S 4 : using a standard code tracking to identify the characteristic element of the 3D image, and the standard code tracking comprising the steps of: S 41 : setting a tracing codelet (Np+t−1, Np+t−2, . . . , Nt), wherein the tracing codelet is comprised of the three or more connected voxels, the tracing codelet has a length of p voxels, a starting point at a voxel with a voxel code of Np+t−1, an end point at a voxel with a voxel code of Nt, and an integer t starts at 1 and increases as a tracing progress; S 42 : tracing by the tracing codelet from each direction of the starting point voxel N 1 to the adjacent voxel code by using a source field encoding methodology; S 43 : using the adjacent voxel code as a tracing codelet starting point and repeating the step S 42 until all the voxel codes of the 3D image are traced; and S 44 : determining each the characteristic element in the 3D image of the continuous structure, and recording the voxel code at the position of the characteristic element of the continuous structure.
An automatic tracing algorithm, implemented in software, analyzes a 3D image of continuous structures (like blood vessels or neurons) to quantitatively analyze them. The algorithm first captures and digitizes the 3D image into voxels. It then selects a starting voxel and assigns it a code. An intensity threshold is set, and voxels matching this threshold are encoded with incrementing codes, radiating outward from the starting voxel. Finally, a "tracing codelet" (a sequence of connected voxels) is used to trace through the encoded voxels, identifying characteristic elements (center lines, branches, endpoints) of the structures. The voxel codes at these characteristic elements are recorded.
2. The computer-implemented automatic tracing algorithm for a quantitative analysis of continuous structures as recited in claim 1 , further comprising the step of: S 5 : performing a quantitative analysis by the voxel code at the position of the characteristic element, and the quantitative analysis comprising one or a combination of the computations selected from the collection of computing the quantity of the characteristic elements, computing the lengths of the characteristic elements, computing the cross-sectional widths of the characteristic elements, computing the surface areas of the characteristic elements, computing the cross-sectional areas of the characteristic elements, computing the volumes of the characteristic elements, computing the center line trends of the characteristic elements, computing a distance between any two characteristic elements of the continuous structure, and computing an angle of relative positions of any two characteristic elements.
The automatic tracing algorithm from the previous description performs quantitative analysis on the identified characteristic elements. This analysis includes calculations like counting the number of characteristic elements, measuring their lengths, cross-sectional widths, surface areas, cross-sectional areas, and volumes. It also computes the center line trends of the elements, the distances between any two elements, and the angles between them. The analysis uses the voxel codes recorded at the positions of the characteristic elements to perform these computations.
3. The computer-implemented automatic tracing algorithm for a quantitative analysis of continuous structures as recited in claim 1 , wherein the starting point voxel as described in the step S 2 is one selected from the collection of any voxel at any edge of the 3D image and any voxel at any central area of any characteristic element.
In the automatic tracing algorithm for analyzing 3D images described previously, the starting voxel can be selected from any voxel at the edge of the 3D image or any voxel located in the central area of any characteristic element of the continuous structure.
4. The computer-implemented automatic tracing algorithm for a quantitative analysis of continuous structures as recited in claim 1 , wherein the intensity threshold of the 3D image as described in the step S 3 is set by one or a combination of factors selected from the collection of the quality, noise condition, selected color and selected gray scale of the 3D image.
In the automatic tracing algorithm for analyzing 3D images described previously, the intensity threshold is determined based on factors such as the quality of the image, the amount of noise present, the selected color channels, and the selected gray scale. These factors can be used individually or in combination to set the appropriate intensity threshold.
5. A computer-implemented automatic tracing algorithm for a quantitative analysis of continuous structures, applied for analyzing a 3D image of the continuous structures, and each the continuous structure having at least one characteristic element, and the algorithm comprising the steps of: S 1 ′: capturing the 3D image of the continuous structure, digitizing the 3D image, setting an intensity threshold of the 3D image, and filtering the 3D image by the intensity threshold, such that the filtered 3D image is comprised of a plurality of voxels; S 2 ′: selecting a starting point voxel, assigning a starting point code N 1 to the starting point voxel, wherein the starting point voxel is selected from any voxel of the 3D image; S 3 ′: encoding all the voxels of the 3D image, and the step S 3 ′ comprising the steps of: S 31 ′: assigning a voxel code to all the voxels of the starting point voxel N 1 , wherein the voxel code is incremented from the starting point code N 1 by an integer to N 2 ; S 32 ′: using the voxel with a voxel code of N 2 as an adjacent starting point, and assigning a voxel code of N 3 to each the voxel adjacent to the voxel with the voxel code of N 2 ; and S 33 ′: repeating the step S 32 until all the voxels of the 3D image are encoded; and S 4 : using a standard code tracking to identify the characteristic element of the 3D image, and the standard code tracking comprising the steps of: S 41 : setting a tracing codelet (Np+t−1, Np+t−2, . . . , Nt), wherein the tracing codelet is comprised of the three or more connected voxels, the tracing codelet has a length of p voxels, a starting point at a voxel with a voxel code of Np+t−1, an end point at a voxel with a voxel code of Nt, and an integer t starts at 1 and increases as a tracing progress; S 42 : tracing by the tracing codelet from each direction of the starting point voxel N 1 to the adjacent voxel code by using a source field encoding methodology; S 43 : using the adjacent voxel code as a tracing codelet starting point and repeating the step S 42 until all the voxel codes of the 3D image are traced; and S 44 : determining each the characteristic element in the 3D image of the continuous structure, and recording the voxel code at the position of the characteristic element of the continuous structure.
An automatic tracing algorithm, implemented in software, analyzes a 3D image of continuous structures (like blood vessels or neurons) to quantitatively analyze them. The algorithm captures and digitizes the 3D image into voxels, sets an intensity threshold, and filters the image by that threshold. A starting voxel is selected and assigned a code. All voxels are then encoded with incrementing codes, radiating outward from the starting voxel. A "tracing codelet" (a sequence of connected voxels) is used to trace through the encoded voxels, identifying characteristic elements (center lines, branches, endpoints) of the structures. The voxel codes at these characteristic elements are recorded.
6. The computer-implemented automatic tracing algorithm for a quantitative analysis of continuous structures as recited in claim 5 , further comprising the step of: S 5 : performing a quantitative analysis by the voxel code at the position of the characteristic element, and the quantitative analysis comprising one or a combination of the computations selected from the collection of computing the quantity of the characteristic elements, computing the lengths of the characteristic elements, computing the cross-sectional widths of the characteristic elements, computing the surface areas of the characteristic elements, computing the cross-sectional areas of the characteristic elements, computing the volumes of the characteristic elements, computing the center line trends of the characteristic elements, computing a distance between any two characteristic elements of the continuous structure, and computing an angle of relative positions of any two characteristic elements.
The automatic tracing algorithm from the previous description performs quantitative analysis on the identified characteristic elements. This analysis includes calculations like counting the number of characteristic elements, measuring their lengths, cross-sectional widths, surface areas, cross-sectional areas, and volumes. It also computes the center line trends of the elements, the distances between any two elements, and the angles between them. The analysis uses the voxel codes recorded at the positions of the characteristic elements to perform these computations.
7. The computer-implemented automatic tracing algorithm for a quantitative analysis of continuous structures as recited in claim 5 , wherein the starting point voxel described in the step S 2 ′ is one selected from the collection of any pixel at any edge of the 3D image and any pixel of any central area of any characteristic element.
In the automatic tracing algorithm for analyzing 3D images described previously, the starting point voxel can be selected from any pixel at the edge of the 3D image or any pixel located in the central area of any characteristic element of the continuous structure.
8. The computer-implemented automatic tracing algorithm for a quantitative analysis of continuous structures as recited in claim 5 , wherein the intensity threshold of the 3D image as described in the step S 1 ′ is set by one or a combination of factors selected from the collection of the quality, noise condition, selected color and selected gray scale of the 3D image.
In the automatic tracing algorithm for analyzing 3D images described previously, the intensity threshold is determined based on factors such as the quality of the image, the amount of noise present, the selected color channels, and the selected gray scale. These factors can be used individually or in combination to set the appropriate intensity threshold.
9. A computer-implemented automatic tracing algorithm for a quantitative analysis of continuous structures, applied for analyzing a 2D image of the continuous structures, and each the continuous structure having at least one characteristic element, and the algorithm comprising the steps of: SS 1 : capturing a 2D image of the continuous structure and digitizing the 2D image such that the 2D image is comprised of a plurality of pixels; SS 2 : selecting a starting point and assigning a starting point code N 1 to the starting point, wherein the starting point is selected from any pixel of the 2D image; SS 3 : setting an intensity threshold of the 2D image, and encoding all the pixels of the 2D image that match with the intensity threshold from the starting point, and the step SS 3 further comprising the steps of: SS 31 : assigning a pixel code to all pixels adjacent to the starting point N 1 and matched with the intensity threshold, wherein the pixel code is incremented from the starting point code N 1 by an integer to N 2 ; SS 32 : using the pixel with a pixel code of N 2 as an adjacent starting point, and assigning a pixel code of N 3 to each the pixel adjacent to the pixel with the pixel code of N 2 and matched with the intensity threshold; SS 33 : repeating the step SS 32 until all the pixels of the 2D image matched with the intensity threshold are encoded; and SS 4 : using a standard code tracking to identify the characteristic element of the 2D image, and the standard code tracking further comprising the steps of: SS 41 : setting a tracing codelet (Np+t−1, Np+t−2, . . . , Nt), wherein the tracing codelet is comprised of the three or more connected pixels, the tracing codelet has a length of p pixels, a starting point at a pixel with a pixel code of Np+t−1, an end point at a pixel with a pixel code of Nt, and an integer t starts at 1 and increases as a tracing progress; SS 42 : tracing by using the tracing codelet from each direction of the starting point to the adjacent pixel code by a source field encoding methodology; SS 43 : using the adjacent pixel code as a starting point of the tracing codelet and repeating the step SS 42 until all pixel codes of the 2D image are traced; and SS 44 : determining each the characteristic element in the 2D image of the continuous structure, and recording the pixel code at the position of the characteristic element of the continuous structure.
An automatic tracing algorithm, implemented in software, analyzes a 2D image of continuous structures to quantitatively analyze them. The algorithm first captures and digitizes the 2D image into pixels. It then selects a starting pixel and assigns it a code. An intensity threshold is set, and pixels matching this threshold are encoded with incrementing codes, radiating outward from the starting pixel. Finally, a "tracing codelet" (a sequence of connected pixels) is used to trace through the encoded pixels, identifying characteristic elements (center lines, branches, endpoints) of the structures. The pixel codes at these characteristic elements are recorded.
10. The computer-implemented automatic tracing algorithm for a quantitative analysis of continuous structures as recited in claim 9 , further comprising the step of: SS 5 : performing a quantitative analysis of the pixel code from the position of the characteristic element, and the quantitative analysis comprising one or a combination of the computations selected from the collection of computing the quantity of the characteristic elements, computing the lengths of the characteristic elements, computing the cross-sectional widths of the characteristic elements, computing the surface areas of the characteristic elements, computing the cross-sectional areas of the characteristic elements, computing the volumes of the characteristic elements, computing the center line trends of the characteristic elements, computing a distance between any two characteristic elements of the continuous structure, and computing an angle of relative positions of any two characteristic elements.
The automatic tracing algorithm from the previous description performs quantitative analysis on the identified characteristic elements. This analysis includes calculations like counting the number of characteristic elements, measuring their lengths, cross-sectional widths, surface areas, cross-sectional areas, and volumes. It also computes the center line trends of the elements, the distances between any two elements, and the angles between them. The analysis uses the pixel codes recorded at the positions of the characteristic elements to perform these computations.
11. The computer-implemented automatic tracing algorithm for a quantitative analysis of continuous structures as recited in claim 9 , wherein the starting point as described in the step SS 2 is one selected from the collection of any pixel of any edge of the 2D image and any pixel of any central area of any characteristic element.
In the automatic tracing algorithm for analyzing 2D images described previously, the starting point can be selected from any pixel at the edge of the 2D image or any pixel located in the central area of any characteristic element of the continuous structure.
12. The computer-implemented automatic tracing algorithm for a quantitative analysis of continuous structures as recited in claim 9 , wherein the intensity threshold of the 2D image as described in the step SS 3 is set by one or a combination of factors selected from the collection of the quality, noise condition, selected color and selected gray scale of the 2D image.
In the automatic tracing algorithm for analyzing 2D images described previously, the intensity threshold is determined based on factors such as the quality of the image, the amount of noise present, the selected color channels, and the selected gray scale. These factors can be used individually or in combination to set the appropriate intensity threshold.
13. A computer-implemented automatic tracing algorithm for a quantitative analysis of continuous structures, applied for analyzing a 2D image of the continuous structures, and each the continuous structure having at least one characteristic element, and the algorithm comprising the steps of: SS 1 ′: capturing the 2D image of the continuous structure, digitizing the 2D image, setting an intensity threshold of the 2D image, and filtering the 2D image by the intensity threshold, such that the filtered 2D image is comprised of a plurality of pixels; SS 2 ′: selecting a starting point and assigning a starting point code N 1 to the starting point, wherein the starting point is selected from any pixel of the 2D image; SS 3 ′: encoding all the pixels of the 2D image, and the step SS 3 ′ further comprising the steps of: SS 31 ′: assigning a pixel code to the pixel adjacent to the starting point N 1 , wherein the pixel code is incremented from the starting point code N 1 by an integer to N 2 ; SS 32 ′: using the pixel with a pixel code of N 2 as an adjacent starting point, and assigning a pixel code of N 3 to each the pixel adjacent to the pixel with the pixel code of N 2 ; and SS 33 ′: repeating the step SS 32 until all pixels of the 2D image are encoded; and SS 4 : using a standard code tracking to identify the characteristic element of the 2D image, and the standard code tracking comprising the steps of: SS 41 : setting a tracing codelet (Np+t−1, Np+t−2, . . . , Nt), wherein the tracing codelet is comprised of the three or more connected pixels, the tracing codelet has a length of p pixels, a starting point at a pixel with a pixel code of Np+t−1, an end point at a pixel with a pixel code of Nt, and an integer t starts at 1 and increases as a tracing progress; SS 42 : tracing by using the tracing codelet from each direction of the starting point to the adjacent pixel code by a source field encoding methodology; SS 43 : using the adjacent pixel code as a starting point of the tracing codelet and repeating the step SS 42 until all the pixel codes of the 2D image are traced; and SS 44 : determining each the characteristic element in the 2D image of the continuous structure, and recording the pixel code at the position of the characteristic element of the continuous structure.
An automatic tracing algorithm, implemented in software, analyzes a 2D image of continuous structures to quantitatively analyze them. The algorithm captures and digitizes the 2D image into pixels, sets an intensity threshold, and filters the image by that threshold. A starting pixel is selected and assigned a code. Pixels are then encoded with incrementing codes, radiating outward from the starting pixel. A "tracing codelet" (a sequence of connected pixels) is used to trace through the encoded pixels, identifying characteristic elements (center lines, branches, endpoints) of the structures. The pixel codes at these characteristic elements are recorded.
14. The computer-implemented automatic tracing algorithm for a quantitative analysis of continuous structures as recited in claim 13 , further comprising the step of: SS 5 : performing a quantitative analysis of the pixel code from the position of the characteristic element, and the quantitative analysis comprising one or a combination of the computations selected from the collection of computing the quantity of the characteristic elements, computing the lengths of the characteristic elements, computing the cross-sectional widths of the characteristic elements, computing the surface areas of the characteristic elements, computing the cross-sectional areas of the characteristic elements, computing the volumes of the characteristic elements, computing the center line trends of the characteristic elements, computing a distance between any two characteristic elements of the continuous structure, and computing an angle of relative positions of any two characteristic elements.
The automatic tracing algorithm from the previous description performs quantitative analysis on the identified characteristic elements. This analysis includes calculations like counting the number of characteristic elements, measuring their lengths, cross-sectional widths, surface areas, cross-sectional areas, and volumes. It also computes the center line trends of the elements, the distances between any two elements, and the angles between them. The analysis uses the pixel codes recorded at the positions of the characteristic elements to perform these computations.
15. The computer-implemented automatic tracing algorithm for a quantitative analysis of continuous structures as recited in claim 13 , wherein the starting point as described in the step SS 2 ′ is one selected from the collection of any pixel at any edge of the 2D image and any pixel of any central area of any characteristic element.
In the automatic tracing algorithm for analyzing 2D images described previously, the starting point can be selected from any pixel at the edge of the 2D image or any pixel located in the central area of any characteristic element of the continuous structure.
16. The computer-implemented automatic tracing algorithm for a quantitative analysis of continuous structures as recited in claim 13 , wherein the intensity threshold of the 2D image as described in the step SS 1 ′ is set by one or a combination of factors selected from the collection of the quality, noise condition, selected color and selected gray scale of the 2D image.
In the automatic tracing algorithm for analyzing 2D images described previously, the intensity threshold is determined based on factors such as the quality of the image, the amount of noise present, the selected color channels, and the selected gray scale. These factors can be used individually or in combination to set the appropriate intensity threshold.
17. A computer-implemented automatic tracing algorithm for a quantitative analysis of continuous structures, applied for analyzing a 3D image comprised of a plurality of voxels of the continuous structures, and each the continuous structure having at least one characteristic element, and the algorithm comprising the steps of: setting a tracing codelet (Np+t−1, Np+t−2, . . . , Nt), which is comprised of the three or more connected voxels, wherein the tracing codelet has a length of p voxels, a starting point at a voxel with a voxel code of Np+t−1, an end point at a voxel with a voxel code of Nt, and an integer t starts at 1 and increases as a tracing progress; tracing by the tracing codelet from each direction of a starting point voxel to an adjacent voxel code by using a source field encoding methodology; using the adjacent voxel code as a tracing codelet starting point and repeating the tracing step until all the voxel codes of the 3D image are traced; and determining each the characteristic element in the 3D image of the continuous structure, and recording the voxel code at a position of the characteristic element of the continuous structure.
An automatic tracing algorithm, implemented in software, analyzes a 3D image of continuous structures composed of voxels, to quantitatively analyze them. A "tracing codelet" (a sequence of three or more connected voxels) is defined, with a specific length, starting voxel, and ending voxel. The algorithm then traces through the voxels using this codelet, starting from a given voxel and using a "source field encoding methodology" to move to adjacent voxels. This tracing process is repeated until all voxel codes in the 3D image have been traced. Finally, the algorithm identifies characteristic elements of the continuous structure and records the voxel codes at those positions.
18. The computer-implemented automatic tracing algorithm for a quantitative analysis of continuous structures as recited in claim 17 , further comprising the step of: performing the quantitative analysis by the voxel code at the position of the characteristic element, and the quantitative analysis comprising one or a combination of the computations selected from the collection of computing the quantity of the characteristic elements, computing lengths of the characteristic elements, computing cross-sectional widths of the characteristic elements, computing surface areas of the characteristic elements, computing cross-sectional areas of the characteristic elements, computing volumes of the characteristic elements, computing center line trends of the characteristic elements, computing a distance between any two characteristic elements of the continuous structure, and computing an angle of relative positions of any two characteristic elements.
The automatic tracing algorithm described previously performs quantitative analysis on the identified characteristic elements. This analysis includes calculations like counting the number of characteristic elements, measuring their lengths, cross-sectional widths, surface areas, cross-sectional areas, and volumes. It also computes the center line trends of the elements, the distances between any two elements, and the angles between them. The analysis uses the voxel codes recorded at the positions of the characteristic elements to perform these computations.
19. The computer-implemented automatic tracing algorithm for a quantitative analysis of continuous structures as recited in claim 17 , wherein the starting point voxel is one selected from a collection of any voxel at any edge of the 3D image and any voxel at any central area of any characteristic element.
In the automatic tracing algorithm for analyzing 3D images described previously, the starting point voxel is one selected from a collection of any voxel at any edge of the 3D image and any voxel at any central area of any characteristic element.
20. The computer-implemented automatic tracing algorithm for a quantitative analysis of continuous structures as recited in claim 17 , further comprising the step of: setting an intensity threshold of the 3D image, wherein the intensity threshold is set by one or a combination of factors selected from a collection of quality, noise condition, selected color and selected gray scale of the 3D image.
The automatic tracing algorithm described previously sets an intensity threshold for the 3D image. This threshold is determined based on the image's quality, noise level, selected color channels, and grayscale values, used either individually or in combination.
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December 16, 2014
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